Bamboo tops for everyday

Short answer: The word top covers everything from a thin T-shirt to a heavy sweatshirt. What decides the choice is the fabric weight, and whether the top will be worn on its own or as a layer with other clothes.

The thin top

A T-shirt or a long sleeve base top is the one worn most often. It works alone on warm days and as the inner layer when it gets colder. In bamboo viscose it feels soft and smooth against the skin and moves moisture away when you move. For men it comes in bamboo T-shirts for men.

The heavy top

A sweatshirt is thicker and warms as a mid layer. It is worn mostly at home, on walks and in the transitional seasons, when a jacket is too much. Because the fabric is heavier, it hangs straighter and keeps its shape better than a thin top. See the heavier styles in sweatwear.

For women

For women there are the same types: a thin top to wear alone or as a layer, and a heavier one for cold days. The fit is often a little narrower at the shoulder and longer in the body. Choose by whether you want it close fitting or loose. See the matching styles in bamboo T-shirt for women.

Layering

Two thin tops keep you warmer than one thick one, because the air between the layers insulates. You can also take off the outer layer when you go inside or get warm. A thin bamboo top underneath and a sweatshirt over it covers most days from September to May. Read more in layering in the transitional seasons.

Colour choice

Neutral colours such as black, grey, navy and white work with the rest of your wardrobe and with each other. Start with two or three of them and add a colour once the basics are in place. Then you can take any top from the drawer and know it fits in. See how to build a capsule wardrobe in bamboo.

Fit

A top used as a layer should fit closely enough not to bunch under the next one. A top worn alone can be a little looser. Bamboo viscose stretches and drapes softly, so it gives without going baggy. Measure a top you already like and compare it with the size chart before you order.

Washing

Wash the tops at 40 degrees inside out, so the surface wears less, and let them air dry. Skip fabric softener and use a mild dose of detergent. Hang thin tops up straight away so the creases drop out, and lay sweatshirts flat. All the steps are in the washing guide.

Long sleeve for men

The long sleeve top is the most useful when the weather changes. It can be worn alone in spring and autumn and as the inner layer under a shirt or sweatshirt in winter. The sleeve should end at the wrist so it does not ride up. See the long sleeve styles in bamboo long sleeve T-shirt for men.

How many you need

Three to five thin tops and a couple of heavier ones cover a normal week, so you can wash without running out. With plenty of neutral colours, the same tops work for both work and leisure. Start with what you wear most and build from there rather than buying everything at once.